The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-30
W0RSHIPING UNDER A TENT
Two Thousand Colored People Spend a
Day Listening to Sermons and Songs,
And They Raise Enough Money to Lift the
Debt of Zion Church-Prof. Jordan's
Lecture at Plymouth Church.

Fourteen years ago Zion Church, of the
African Methodist Episcopal denomination. was
organized with but few members. 1t prospered
greatly, and although its mem bership had but
small resources, the savings for the needs of the
church were sacredly cared for, by the humblest
we'll by the prosperous members.
In time a substantial brick building erected
at the corner of Blackford and North streets,
but the membership grew so rapidly that the
audienee-room could not accommodate the large
congregations For time debt of $500
has been a source of embarrassment to the
church officials How to meet this and at once
supply the pressing needs for larger building
have been the subjects of much consider
alton. 1t the desire to raise the means
if it could be done altogether within the church,
but though the members number more than one
thousand, it is said by of them that there is
not man or woman among them who IS worth
more than $1,000 They Industrious and
saving, yet it would have been great sacrifice
for any one of them to give 800 to the church.
Fairs, entertainments ard subscriptions have
helped materially to carry the church along and
to reduce its debt. but the time had come, on the
eve Of building project, to wipe out the last
$500 of the liability. The pastor, Rev. K. L.
Anderson. determined to devote a full Sunday
to this work and in order to Accommodate the
entire membership and congregation he decided
to hold the services under a capacious tent
On lot opposite the church the tent was
erected, and there throughout all of yesterday
1000 colored people listened to services. joined
in songs of praise, and gave generously to take
their church out of debt. There was nothing
unusual or novel in the services except that the
sermons and addresses all directed to
heighten the interest of the immense congreRa-
ton, morning, evening and night, in making
small donations. The pi.stor, who is indie
fatigable worker did not expect to raise the
sum by large individual contributions. He ap-
piled his gifts as a solicitor in bringing out the
dimes and quarters. In the morning he
preached a good the troubles
of the churches of Smyrna and Ephesus as
suggested by the second chapter of Revelations.
After this an hour or more was devoted to
taking ur the dimes and quarters. A large SUN
raised, but in the afternoon, when Elder
Monroe had addressed the people the needs
of the church, the solicitation for money was
continued until o'clock. An excellent choir
would give one of the soul-stirring gospel
hymns, and during it the pastor would not let
the hesitating members rest. His appeals were
urgent. and in answer to them men and women,
those strong in youth and those bent with age,
came to the altar, in front of which stood
money table. Upon it rang the dimes and
quarters which were cared for by two members.
Whenever the contributions would lessen the
choir would sing another hymn, or perhaps the
vast audience would join IN one of the char
actertstic devotional choruses, of which the
colored church member is so fond, but the pas
tor did not forget his appeals Again the con-
tributors would march to the altar. and again
would the small pieces Of money drop fast on the
table. Two songs. Every body is Talking
About Zion" and ''Go Work for Jesus" had a
marked effect IN increasing the contributions.
They were sung by several hundred voices. with
all the fervor and deep religious feeling that
noticeable in colored worshipers. The meet
ing continued during the evening" when
other contributions received raising the
sum to that required to pay the debt. Tonight
an entertainment will be given under the tent.